By Brandon Jones
Staff Writer
GREENFIELD ââ?¬â?? Arguably, the countyââ?¬â?¢s two best teams matched up Dec. 29 in the same half of the Hancock County tournament bracket. Thatââ?¬â?¢s when the host Greenfield Cougars (7-3) took on the Mt. Vernon (Fortville) Marauders (7-4) for the right to advance to Fridayââ?¬â?¢s championship game.
A 10-4 run to start the fourth quarter put this game to rest as Greenfield prevailed, 56-39.
Both teams entered the contest nervously, and it showed early. The teams traded turnovers, and it was not until three minutes into the game that the first points were scored. Greenfield made a living by dominating the offensive glass, but the Cougars could not take advantage as they failed to convert on many shot attempts in the game�s first quarter.
Mt. Vernon was equally frustrated on the other end, taking careless jump shots that were not connecting. And they could not snag a rebound to save their lives.
The teams got on track midway through the quarter, however. The Marauders rode their talented junior-led backcourt of Jenni Tamarri and Brittany Nickerson as the two scored all of the team�s 11 first-quarter points in heating up from the perimeter. After the first eight minutes of play, Mt. Vernon held an 11-8 advantage.
Greenfield showed its prowess in the contest�s second period. The Cougars scored the quarter�s first six points en route to an 8-1 run overall. However, there was another storyline emerging in the game. FOULS. Both teams racked up fouls in a hurry as the game�s tempo picked up. After trading baskets with one another midway through the quarter, the Cougars finished what they had started in finishing the quarter with a 7-2 spurt to hold a 29-20 halftime advantage.
The other storyline was Cougar sophomore guard Jordan Lewis. Lewis had 12 of her team�s 21 second quarter points and she was doing it in every which way possible. She scored inside and had found her touch from the outside in dominating fashion.
The Cougars continued their hot shooting from the floor in the third quarter. Senior Morgan Anderson connected on back to back three pointers to stretch the lead to as many as 13 points. The Marauders became frustrated as they had now found an answer for Lewis, but she was making plays by giving her teammates a chance. This frustration resulted in more fouls being racked up and more free throw opportunities for the opposition. However, the contest was still within reach for Mt. Vernon as they trailed 43-31 with one quarter to play.
Whatever hope Mt. Vernon had was crushed by Greenfield Central in the final quarter. The Marauders picked a bad time to go cold from the floor, but that is exactly what happened. A 10-4 run to start the quarter put the game to rest. The final score: 56-39, Greenfield.
Morgan Anderson led Greenfield with 15 points, while Jordan Lewis added 14. For Mt. Vernon, Jenni Tamarri had 19 points and was the only Marauder in double figures.
Greenfield will take on New Palestine in the championship game, while Mt. Vernon will face Eastern Hancock in the consolation.
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